The College of Staten Island is currently participating in a recycling program called "Recyclemania." The event is a 10-week competition to
see which school, out of more than 600 nationwide, can recycle the best.
(Staten Island Advance/Mark Stein)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - WILLOWBROOK - The College of Staten Island (CSI) and more than 600 other learning institutions across the nation may be battling each other for top recycling honors, but the true winner is everyone.

"Recyclemania," a 10-week competition, began at CSI in mid-January; its aim is to encourage students, faculty and staff to join the nationwide campaign to improve resource conservation by expanding recycling volume throughout the campus.

" 'Recyclemania' is a friendly competition among college campuses to reduce greenhouse gases through increased recycling," said James Pepe, assistant vice president of the Facilities Management department. "In a spirit of friendly competition, CSI can contribute toward huge environmental gains."

The program will track materials such as paper, cardboard, bottles and cans. A formula, based on the number of full-time equivalent students, staff, and faculty, is used to calculate pounds collected per person of recycling occurring on campus, the school said, via csitoday.com.

CSI's goal is to collect 1,000 pounds of recyclables per week, for a grand total of 10,000 pounds over the course of 10 weeks.

Pepe indicated that recycling efforts are being supported by the New York City Department of Sanitation, which is recycling plastic and glass bottles, tin cans, and aluminum, and by Flag Trucking, which is accepting paper, cardboard, magazines, catalogues, and mail in green 30-yard containers placed throughout the campus.

Collection bins – each with separate slots for waste, aluminum, glass and plastic bottles, and mixed paper/newspaper – have been strategically located in lobbies, café areas, and other high-trafficked spaces in virtually every campus building. Another 46 bins are located outdoors.

"Tossing an empty can of Coke or yesterday's Staten Island Advance in the proper bin assures that the item will enter a recycling stream, and not simply be buried in a landfill," wrote Pepe, on the school's Web site.

Recycling at CSI has grown exponentially in recent years. CSI collected 48.25 tons in 2008 and 60.20 tons in 2010. The number of schools competing in "Recyclemania," which began with just two in 2001, was at more than 600 in 2010, the assistant vice president noted.

"There are recycle bins throughout the campus, and everyone's help in using them would be greatly appreciated," Pepe said. "This is our first year in the contest. It would be quite an accomplishment if we were to win or place among the top campuses. If our past performances are any indication, we should do well; however, we will need everyone's participation to succeed. The equipment is in place; the vendors are ready to respond and our staff is trained."